The United Nations Maritime Conference, held in Geneva from February 19th to March 6th, 1948 at which duly authorized representatives of the Canadian Government were in attendance, drafted a Convention of the United Nations Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization. This Convention provides for the establishment of an Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative and Advisory Organization whose principal purpose is to provide machinery for cooperation among the governments on shipping matters, encourage the removal of discriminatory and restrictive practices, and facilitate the exchange of information and consideration of merchant shipping problems. The Interdepartmental Committee on Merchant Shipping Policy has considered the terms of this Convention and has recommended that the Canadian Government accept the Convention of the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization and approve its ratification.

At the Geneva Conference a Preparatory Committee consisting of representatives of twelve states was established to act as an Interim Committee until the Convention comes into effect, to arrange that the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization is brought in relation with the United Nations and to make all necessary preparations for the first meeting of the Assembly. The Preparatory Committee held its first meeting at Geneva on March 6th, 1948. Canada has been elected to the Chair for the second meeting which is to be held at Lake Success probably early in November. The Interdepartmental Committee on Merchant Shipping Policy on July 22nd, 1948, recommended that the Canadian Government formally accept the Chairmanship of the Second meeting of the Preparatory Committee and that the Canadian Delegation to this meeting should be selected from the Departments of Transport and External Affairs and the Canadian Maritime Commission.

It is therefore recommended that the Canadian Government -

(a) execute and deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations an instrument of acceptance of the Convention of the United Nations Maritime Consultative Organization;

(b) formally accept the Chairmanship of the second meeting of the Preparatory Committee;

(c) name Canadian delegates to the Preparatory Committee, such delegates to be selected from the Departments of Transport and External Affairs and the Canadian Maritime Commission.⁹¹

L.B. PEARSON

⁹¹Approuvé par le Cabinet le 16 septembre./Approved by Cabinet, September 16.